Celebrity chef dies in Australia

Darren Simpson, who at 21 became Britain’s youngest ever Young Chef of the Year and has been a television chef and food writer, has died in Australia, his family said Friday.

Northern Ireland-born Simpson worked at multiple restaurants in London, Ireland and Australia and appeared in Australian television’s “My Restaurant Rules,’’ “’Live This,’’ and “Ready Steady Cook.’’

“My uncle Darren has passed away. He was truly one of a kind! He was a funny immature, caring guy, gonna miss you and your sick jokes! Love you Uncle Darren,’’ the chef’s nephew Matt Simpson posted on Facebook.

Simpson died near his home in Byron Bay north of Sydney on Thursday afternoon, Seven Network television reported.

He had recently attempted rehabilitation at a clinic for alcohol addiction before ending up in a hospital, News Corp. websites reported. The cause of death has not been confirmed.

Simpson grew up in Armoy and Hillsborough outside Belfast, one of three children of publican parents. A family friend who was a chef in Bermuda inspired him to make cooking his career, Fairfax Media reported.

Australia’s LifeStyle Channel broadcast three series starring Simpson of “The Best in Australia,’’ based on the BBC series “The Best,’’ since 2007.

The series producer Marian Bartsch, of Mago Films, described Simpson as “a bright spark full of all that life had to offer and a razor sharp wit to match.’’